Meet our Volunteers

Melville has been in the volunteering role since 2005 when he left the Adelaide Zoo where he held his dream job of being a zoo-keeper for more than 20 years.

“Every animal had their own peculiarities and personalities. I started in the bird department and then moved to the mammal department eventually becoming a rover. But you wouldn’t have known I was there. It was mainly behind the scenes, just like graffiti removal really,” Melville said.

Melville likens the way vandals mark walls and buildings to the way animals spray to mark their territory.   

“It might be arrogant or ego driven” Melville 64, said. “Other times it is just mindless squiggles and a waste of resources.”

Daniel, aged 21, decided to join his father when he was at a career crossroads and couldn’t decide whether to follow in his dad’s footsteps and work at the zoo or find an entirely new path.

“I am the only young person on the graffiti team, but I like to think of myself as being in a different bracket with different and new ideas.”

Daniel and Melville drive from their home in Hope Valley each Friday for their 3.5 hour volunteering shift, and are joined by Chris Levingston, who they both have formed a friendship with, particularly Melville.

“Since I started in 2005, I have worked with some very good people, but I am really happy with my crew now,” Melville says while giving Daniel a big smile. It is obvious Melville and Daniel, who finish each other's sentences, are very good friends. Father and son agree that the best way to avoid a graffiti build up is to have it removed straight away.

They could also happily sit back and chat for an hour or two about the best cleaning graffiti removal products and their environment impacts.

The Council’s Coordinator, Volunteer Services Nigel Jordan says it is very uncommon to have a father and son Volunteer team and a search of the Council’s records indicate that Melville and Daniel are very likely to be the City’s first.

If you are interested in becoming a Volunteer, contact Nigel Jordan on njordan@npsp.as.gov.au or 8366 4631.